With four video sources (DVD, VCR, DBS and terrestrial TV tuner) (five if you count the ability to access the PlayStation game console through either the VCR's front panel or the external panel) this system posed a challenge to the team at Audiovox. The central switching capability is provided by the Audiovox VOH802 8-inch overhead LCD monitor with its full remote control capability. The Hughes-branded satellite receiver was mounted in the passenger side compartment in the new bed while the Audiovox DVD3200 DVD Player was mounted under the rear seat cushion on the passenger side. The DVD is on video-1 input; the VCR on video-2; and video-3 provides the remote input for the PlayStation 2. It is possible, using the remote control to switch between all four sources, plus the terrestrial TV tuner built into the overhead monitor. To eliminate remote control clutter, the functions of the four remotes were programmed into an eight-component all-in-one learning remote to simplify system operation.
Driving Is BelievingThe Datron-supplied satellite TV capabilities are what set this system apart from other multi-source systems, but it is important to note its limitations. Although capable of tracking the satellite while the vehicle is moving, because of the line-of-sight-nature of the DBS format, obstructions like highway overpasses will cause a momentary freeze of the image while the antenna re-acquires the signal.
Unlike the new satellite radio formats coming on stream in the U.S., there are no earthbound repeaters to rebroadcast the bandwidth-hungry digital signal containing more than 200 channels of video and audio entertainment. That being said, the signal is vastly superior to any that can be provided by any conventional terrestrial mobile tuner, including the one built into the overhead monitor.
A drive from our base of operations in Orange County to Las Vegas gave us an opportunity to fully put the system to the test. Once we emerged from built up urban areas in Orange County, the signal locked in and was interrupted only by infrequent highway overpasses along Interstate 15. For more than 200 miles, this was a small price to pay for the luxury of being able to switch between a college football game, a first-run pay-per-view movie (accessed via mobile phone), news updates from CNN and the BBC, and the 30 channels of commercial-free audio programming with program title information. (If you're curious about the wealth of programming choices available to U.S. subscribers, you can visit the page at DirecTV's Web site at www.directv.com/programming/programmingpages/0,1093,176,00.html.)
Gerisch told Car Audio and Electronics that he has plans to address the signal interruption issue. The current Hughes satellite TV receiver will ultimately be replaced with a unit with a built-in hard disc recorder, providing up to 30 hours of pre-recorded digital programming. A DirecTV unit with built-in Tivo or UltimateTV would fill the bill nicely.
At this time, since the system's audio switching capability has been simplified in an effort to demonstrate to vehicle manufacturers that systems such as these are a factory-installed possibility, the audio portion of the selected video source is currently interfaced into the system via an aux-in switch on the front panel of the flip-down, detachable face P-153 AM/FM/CD/cassette in-dash receiver. With integrated dual wireless headphones, the system currently has limited two-zone capability. It is possible for front seat passengers to listen to the audio from the receiver through the speakers located in the four factory locations in the doors while kids in the rear can enjoy the audio from the selected video source via the wireless headphones. A small 5-inch LCD is mounted in the vanity mirror housing on the passenger side visor, giving the front seat passenger their own monitor when the vehicle is not in motion.